Transit officials: Pope visit attendees should expect long walk from New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – People who want to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia next month had better bring their walking shoes.

Transportation officials in New Jersey laid out plans Thursday to accommodate what's expected to be several hundred thousand people passing through the state on the way to Philadelphia on Sept. 26-27.

Many will be funneled through Camden, where buses will park. Attendees will be required to walk several miles from Camden over the Ben Franklin Bridge and to the site of Sunday's Mass on Ben Franklin Parkway.

Officials said Thursday that anyone not ready to walk a significant distance should consider staying home.

They also said New Jersey residents and motorists passing through who aren't headed to Philadelphia should stay at least 50 miles away to avoid traffic jams.